Disbarred Lawyer May Not Use Bogus Entities to Help Customers Violate Tax Laws

WASHINGTON -- A federal court in Seattle has permanently enjoined previously disbarred Seattle attorney Bruce Hawkins from promoting tax-fraud schemes. The government complaint alleged that Bruce Hawkins helped set up bogus limited partnerships in Nevis, West Indies so that customers could claim that income from such partnerships is not subject to U.S. tax.

According to the complaint, Hawkins also allegedly helped customers set up bogus Nevada limited partnerships that customers used to treat personal expenses as deductible business expenses. More information about this case, including a copy of the government complaint, is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/txdv06156.htm.